| Facebook is at the centre of a media storm following its new name change policy. |
Now, for a lot of people out there this wouldn’t be too much of an issue, but as a transgender person having ID that displays my correct name is something of a problem for me. Yes, I’ve got ID with my birth name on it, along with a photograph of a version of myself. But that’s not who I really am, and it’s certainly not who I am on Facebook. Presented with this problem I sent a message to the company to try and explain my position and asked very nicely for my account to be reactivated, yet heard nothing in response.
Skip to much later on and I’ve created a new account and had to go through trying to find all of my old friends and contacts. Then I’m reading through various news stories and come across an article about how Facebook is cracking down on stage names being used by the drag community and shutting down their accounts. I read through the story and thought that, yes, it was a bad situation but one that I was a little removed from. After all, I’m not a drag artist so it wouldn’t really affect me would it?
But then as time passed and I thought more about it I began to consider exactly what the new name change policy could mean to the LGBT community beyond drag performers. What would happen if Facebook turned their attention to those trans people who are in the middle of transitioning themselves and cannot comply with their new rules. Then I suddenly realised that maybe my experience was somehow connected.
Did Facebook shut down my account because I’m transgender?
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| Facebook chose to shut down my old account due to it not being under my legal name. |
Facebook has given what I’m sure to them is a perfectly reasonable statement on the situation siting ‘If people want to use an alternative name on Facebook, they have several different options available to them, including providing an alias under their name on their profile, or creating a Page specifically for that alternative persona. As part of our overall standards, we ask that people who use Facebook provide their real name on their profile.’
All well and good in a lot of situations I suppose, but what about those people like the drag community who feel that if their true identities were made public it could cause them to face serious dangers and possibly even physical harm in their everyday lives. Or what about the trans community, where people are moving from their given identity to their true one, who have found their real name and want to be known by it but do not yet have any form of ‘official’ ID.
On Wednesday members of the drag community met with Facebook officials in order to discuss the current sate of affairs on the site. One of the members in attendance, drag performer Sister Roma, reported that Facebook refuses to even acknowledge that there is an issue with the new policy. According to Roma Facebook even admitted that many of the accounts that were deactivated were targeted due to complaints made by other users.
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| Drag performer Sister Roma is one of the people meeting with Facebook to discuss their new policy. |
‘We’ve decided to temporarily reactivate the profiles of several hundred members of the LGBT community whose profiles were recently deactivated,’ Facebook spokesperson Andrew Souvall said in a recent statement. ‘This will give them a chance to decide how they’d like to represent themselves on Facebook. Over the next two weeks, we hope that they will decide to confirm their real name, change their name to their real name, or convert their profile to a Page.’
When you think about it though is there any point in letting people have their profiles back for such a short period? Especially as if you want to keep them you’ll have to bow to Facebooks new rules?
I’ve already had one account deleted, possibly from other users complaining about me (yes, I’m looking at all you creepy ‘chasers’ who keep messaging me for sex chats and pics who I tell to fuck off), and could very well have this account suspended too. The thing is, Amy isn’t a fake name. It’s me. I won’t be forced into using a name that isn’t true to who I really am. Especially by a faceless organisation.
Due to my previous account being deleted, and in a small part to this article I’m sharing where I’m complaining about Facebook I’m kind of expecting that I’ll have my profile deleted again. The thing is, this new rule is wrong. Facebook shouldn’t be able to tell you what name you can and cannot use. Especially when nine times out of ten I go by Amy and not my ‘real’ name.
Hopefully Facebook will reverse its decision soon as I’m sure the LGBT community won’t let the issue go.
Amy.
Xx
Yah I only joined Facebook because everyone I knew had done so already. My first post there is "Facebook IS Evil". I have often repeated it. Sure it is a tool, but one that is used to hammer us, not for us to be able to build anything lasting. It is a tool for them to target us, and divide us, and keep us from connecting outside our groups and like minds for the most part....
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for a different site now. I had both MySpace and Live Journal. And while they did waste a lot of my time, they also formed my opinions on what and how facebook is. Facebook has only strived to prove those opinions correct. I'm DONE. Buh-Bye Mark Zuckerberg
BTW since I don't have an option other than "Anonymous to post here, this is my name and as it is on facebook: Katra Briel yeah tha is me Mark...fuck you.
Facebook IS evil....
DeleteHey Amy, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I work at Facebook and even though I cannot directly speak as to what is being said in meetings at the company on this topic I can say that there are many within the company who are fighting very strongly for those affected by this. I especially have made it a point to fight for trans people as I am myself also transgender.
ReplyDeleteI was one of the team who worked on bringing custom gender identity options to everybody in the TLGB community. I promise that no matter the outcome here I will continue to fight for these things within Facebook as along as I am there.
Thank you.
DeleteI hope that you will be able to do some good from behind the scenes at Facebook, We definitely need someone on our side within the company.
DeleteThank you Nyteshade
Delete*Sigh* I find it hard to accept that I have just lost all my feedback by because Blogspot dumped my reply during its broken login to Google process (I'm now showing to myself as 'Unknown') but I typed it on borrowed time in the first place and don't have any time in which to retype it. I'll cut out the preamble which described my vulnerable transgender situation and why having a second account on Facebook as a pseudonym was an essential part of getting in touch with the people I needed to help me come out.
My key point is that Facebook set out to dominate social networking and has succeeded. This gives it vast power (as well as vast revenues) but also great social responsibility. Corporations are not democracies, but with a customer base consisting of countless communities, many of them vulnerable, Facebook needs to model itself on a democratic basis in dealing with its customers. It needs to act in the interests of its customers and it can only do so by establishing what impact any changes it proposes to make will have on its them, especially those who are vulnerable or otherwise disenfranchised. At the moment it is being seen to be far too complacent and heavy handed. It is inviting a backlash.
That gender option was like the clouds parting and the light shining down and the heavenly sound byte playing.
DeleteThank you.
Facebook is known for doing stupid shit but this tops all the stuff they've done in the past.
ReplyDeleteThis policy is a life threat to Islamic people who live in neighborhoods or countries in where you could get killed for being LGBTQPA(QPA = questioning, pansexual, asexual).
Now i myself do not belong to whatever religion but i very much fear for the lives of the people to whom this could be a literal life threat.
I also think this new policy is going to cost them a vast amount of users and income. Facebook has messed with timelines, friend lists and now also everyone's trust. Facebook is already known for messing with their customers and will now be known for being bigoted too. Claps to you, Facebook.
This policy is also the exact opposite of why people turn to the internet, to be who they want to be and not to be the person they don't identify with.
I've seen several people say that they are moving their accounts to Google+. I don't know anything about the service, but I'm going to check it out after all this garbage. This policy puts many people outside of the LGBT community at risk, too. There are many reasons why people feel unsafe using their legal names. I guess I'll be Anonymous, since I don't know how to put in another name. I've never been here before. I followed a link a friend posted on Fb so I could read Amy's story. My name is Susan.
ReplyDeleteGoogle+ had a real names policy when it first launched, but as far as I'm aware, never really bothered enforcing it - I've got an active Circle with over 20 transpeople in it. Their Pages were the first step towards opening up, as (unlike FB) they don't restrict who gets to see what, and there's no public-facing link between a Profile and its attached Pages. Then they allowed YouTubers to import their usernames. But on July 15th, they took the last step: "Today, we are taking the last step: there are no more restrictions on what name you can use."
DeleteG+ also has an asymmetric friendship model (as with Twitter), and (big bonus!) Google actually know how to handle notifications - the notification feed isn't borked and the Notifications panel acts like a mini-stream, so you can plus one, comment and reshare without having to continually jump out of the notifications panel, load the post on its own, scroll down to where the comment is...
The other bonus: G+ doesn't have games, so you don't get plagued with requests to play FarmVille / Bejewelled Blitz / What [insert film/tv series here] Character Are You?
even if they have the account back for a short period, the can always back it up, and retain copies of posts and images uploaded. I had my "Elsie Broek" account deleted late last year. It was my avatar's name I use in Second Life and I was doing things mostly related to that. so it goes.
ReplyDeleteYes, you can use the time you have to make sure that anything you want from your account is backed up. But that's not exactly the point. I'm not worried about losing anything that might be on my Facebook account, I'm worried that I'm going to loose my Facebook, my network of friends and my on-line social life just because someone somewhere in a boardroom is saying that I cannot choose my own name. That's oppression.
Deletethat's not oppression - that is reality! The British Government does not allow us to have 2 passports each with a different name - so according to you this must also be oppression!
DeleteGrow up and act with integrity instead of acting like a stupid trannie!
That's a completely different thing, no one has compared the two during this whole debate and to bring that up as a defence of this new policy is just ridiculous.
DeleteAlso, wishing to use my real name is not a sign not having integrity, fighting (in whatever way I can) so that I and others can do so IS integrity. I'm not just going to give up and take the easy way by letting it pass unchallenged.
Oh, and Tranny (if you're going to use the word at least spell it right) is a massively insulting slur word. You should never, ever use it when talking to a trans person as it is horrible. It's equivalent to calling a person of colour the N word. So unless you're the kind of person that does that (and judging from the stupidity and insulting nature of you comment you might well be) stop it and don't do it again.
I've yet to have this happen as my current name on FB is now my legal name. However I'm astounded that such a widely used service as facebook can be run by people so obviously cold harted and intollerant. The ONLY reason they do this, the only reason you MUST use your "legal name" is not for safety, nor for security as is their general speil, but purely and simply because if your profile name does not match up to a real world person through their back door snooping a cookies, it means they have no details to sell on to partners and therefore it damages their unofficial income.
ReplyDeleteA great deal of facebook's profit comes from data mining, despite data mining being illegal in most countries. The difference now is that its done more secretively and most dont even realise its happening. Just take a look at the "facebook messenger app" on iOS and android and check the permissions.
A lack of real world person means a lack of advertising audience revenue for any thrid parties and in turn a lack of profit from sale of that info for FB. its the only reason, plain and simple.
Profit at any expense as long as its not to the profiteer.
Facebook are disgusting, homophobic/transphobic cunts. Seriously on Coming Out day and Equality Day they deleted thousands of gay couples accounts for expressing love, all Facebook could do was say sorry, did they get their accounts back? No. Now they're doing crap like this.
ReplyDeleteI love G+, and I love using it more than Facebook, I hardly have any friends on it but it's better nothing. I'm getting sick of Facebook, they do experiments on peoples accounts to stimulate moods and it's like why do that? It's disgusting. G+ only delete your account if you've broken the law, not just for the sake of them not liking you in general, it's a nicer environment on G+ you aren't so scared there.
I own a ''Fan page'' on Facebook, and they're cutting my likes/post reach because I can't afford £36,000 for an advert. I'm an unemployed young adult, how and who the fuck can afford that much for a page. It's disgusting. If they delete my account for being gay,I'm telling all my friends to get on G+ it's better that way.
Hi Amy (2 part post),
ReplyDeleteFacebook's prejudice aside (and I'm not surprised that there is some), we need people like you bringing your concerns and problems to the debate about Online Identity, because companies and legislators are forming policies and laws, and this aspect of it needs to be heard.
Basically, the problem is this:
There are people who *need* the ability to present publicly with a name other than what's on their official I.D. for many reasons: for some, it's a matter of "this is who I really am," often but not limited to transgender persons. For others, it's an effort to avoid harassment and stalking in their not-online lives (which basically includes anyone being bullied, domestic violence victims, activists speaking out on a variety of topics but especially women, LGBTQ people, and even those who have an interest or friends they wish to keep private and separate from their daily life---for instance, people into BDSM). The internet is a place where we can meet people like ourselves, have conversations, share information, and make friends where we are accepted for ourselves; keeping that separated from daily life can, for some, literally be life or death, or can mean the difference between keeping or losing a job, housing, etc.
On the other side of it, "anonymity" on the internet allows some people to be abusive, to stalk, to harass and bully, to threaten and try to ruin lives. We also need ways for internet sites and law enforcement to track down these people in real life and deal with them, and ways for sites to ban them in a way that they can't simply come back under another name and continue it. The former is actually easier to set up than the later, in my opinion.
The problem is, companies too often are taking an "all or nothing" approach: either they insist on documented I.D. and the name with it being used publicly, or they allow alternate or "faux" names online and do *nothing* to deal with stalkers and abusers, or even say they're "protecting the privacy" of those people (Reddit and 4Chan come to mind).
We need a system somewhere in the middle: one that allows people to publicly show a name different from what's on their official documentation... but one that also requires your official I.D. with name and street address so that if a user threatens, stalks, etc. (witness Anita Sarkeesian's ordeal, among many others), that this information can be presented to authorities.
Part of the problem is, that kind of system relies on the company to keep that "real life" information private and secure, and all too often they don't: either their security sucks, or they make frequent changes to how private information is shared and what's accessible to others (I'm looking at you, Facebook).
Hi Amy (part 1 of 2),
ReplyDeleteFacebook's prejudice aside (and I'm not surprised that there is some), we need people like you bringing your concerns and problems to the debate about Online Identity, because companies and legislators are forming policies and laws, and this aspect of it needs to be heard.
Basically, the problem is this:
There are people who *need* the ability to present publicly with a name other than what's on their official I.D. for many reasons: for some, it's a matter of "this is who I really am," often but not limited to transgender persons. For others, it's an effort to avoid harassment and stalking in their not-online lives (which basically includes anyone being bullied, domestic violence victims, activists speaking out on a variety of topics but especially women, LGBTQ people, and even those who have an interest or friends they wish to keep private and separate from their daily life---for instance, people into BDSM). The internet is a place where we can meet people like ourselves, have conversations, share information, and make friends where we are accepted for ourselves; keeping that separated from daily life can, for some, literally be life or death, or can mean the difference between keeping or losing a job, housing, etc.
On the other side of it, "anonymity" on the internet allows some people to be abusive, to stalk, to harass and bully, to threaten and try to ruin lives. We also need ways for internet sites and law enforcement to track down these people in real life and deal with them, and ways for sites to ban them in a way that they can't simply come back under another name and continue it. The former is actually easier to set up than the later, in my opinion.
The problem is, companies too often are taking an "all or nothing" approach: either they insist on documented I.D. and the name with it being used publicly, or they allow alternate or "faux" names online and do *nothing* to deal with stalkers and abusers, or even say they're "protecting the privacy" of those people (Reddit and 4Chan come to mind).
We need a system somewhere in the middle: one that allows people to publicly show a name different from what's on their official documentation... but one that also requires your official I.D. with name and street address so that if a user threatens, stalks, etc. (witness Anita Sarkeesian's ordeal, among many others), that this information can be presented to authorities.
Part of the problem is, that kind of system relies on the company to keep that "real life" information private and secure, and all too often they don't: either their security sucks, or they make frequent changes to how private information is shared and what's accessible to others (I'm looking at you, Facebook).
I have a lot of friends in the LGBT community and if they get deleted I too will delete my account. I don't think that having two identities gives you a lack of integrity but you show a lack of humanity Mark by being a sexist ass. Grow a soul and stop sucking the freedom away from others just because it is outside your comfort zone. Anonymous was my only option as well so let me tell you who I am. I am Andrea Roberta Montgomery (full legal name) I hate Facebook but I get on so I can see how my friends and family are doing. This is the only way I have to communicate with family and friends from out of town, especially the family in Germany. Be a man and stop making others sacrifice because you are self centered.
ReplyDeleteI too am transgendered but I agree with facebook's rule on names, this helps us all to be sure that the person we are dealing with is real and not some asian bloke using a girl's profile to solicit sex. I also have recently verified my name with facebook - it was a very pleasant process submitted my driving licence and passport and account marked as "verified"
ReplyDeleteI feel it is the right thing to do to have integrity and not to pretend to be someone else, to act honestly is what we should all be aiming to do.
Remember, no one forces anyone to use facebook.
I may be completely wrong here but the fact that you're commenting as Anonymous and what you've just said makes me highly doubt that you are 'trangendered'.
DeleteFirstly you'd know that the term is actually transgender.
Secondly, you'd know that it would be next to impossible for a lot of trans people to be able to verify their identities and would be forced to leave facebook.
Thirdly, if you were trans you would not see this as being given the opportunity to 'act with integrity' but yet another chance for people to treat our community with disrespect and oppression.
I may be completely wrong, but your comment just seems like someone who's not trans making out that they are in order to make this new policy sound like a good thing.
Facebook is a free service. You all pay exactly nothing to them, so they owe you all exactly nothing. If you don't like it, nobody is forcing you to stay there.
DeleteYou're right, we don't pay for their service but using that as an excuse to treat people unfairly and discriminating against minorities is unjust. Just because you don't charge people don't use that as an excuse to be racist, sexist or homophobic. If Facebook turned around and wanted to delete the account of every Asian person, every Christian or every woman would that be okay because the service is free?
DeletePoor argument. Facebook has made itself almost ubiquitous. You might as well say no-one is forcing us to use the public water supply, or the TV.
DeleteBut more, there is no rational purpose to public identification. The argument that it will allow advertisers to aim their products, is nonsense, since they will use a lot more data than obtained from Facebook.
Facebook hasn't given any reason. But there is a big argument against, that is identification. You have signed yourself as anonymous here for example, though you could have published your name.
Though many years ago, I was identified and my telephone number used for abuse, because my surname happens to be unusual.
Spacial, Transgendered at conception. Now Transgender.
PS, Amy, any chance you could allow gravitar IDs on this page? I know many others use it and it is easier. Tried to send you a PM on that, but couldn't find any means.
Why did you delete my comment? I feel like it was more than a valid point on the subject.
ReplyDeleteNo comments get deleted, though sometimes comments do go into the spam folder rather than straight onto the page.
DeleteI've notice that many of the bigger players seem to be trying to take some control over the web. The experiences of us in the UK are well known, but recently, it has been reported that the US government is trying to clamp down on encryption technology with old, 'Could Be Used By Terrorists' routine.
ReplyDeleteThat may sound extreme but since the effect of being openly identifiable, will prevent many from expressing dissenting ideas openly, could that possibly be the reason?
Spacial, socialist, anti-war, pro-IS, transgender, currently supporting the breakup of the UK.
Still talking.
So that means that Elvis Costello has to use Declan McManus on his page? I would guess Lady Gaga also has to use her real name now too...Right? And all those movie stars, too many to mention? WHo would even know who they are if they use their real names?
ReplyDeleteThere is a new service starting up right now a LGBTQ 'Facebook' called OnePlusLOve that I actually saw suggested on Facebook that is set to be a local & national service to the LGBTQ community. Perhaps we should all emmigrate en masse?
ReplyDeleteAnother that, by reports, is growing quite fast is Ello. It apparently doesn't carry advertising.
ReplyDeleteHaven't had a chance to look at it yet but it does seem interesting, I will also be chacking out OnePlusLOve as well.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29409541